Three separate high school homecoming parties in Mississippi culminated in gunfire, killing eight people and injuring more than 20 more.
The most deadly of the shootings occurred in Leland’s downtown area around 12 a.m. local time on Saturday, Oct. 11, according to KSL.com and the Associated Press. According to the Associated Press, four individuals were killed on the site and two died later in the hospital.
Residents were out enjoying a homecoming game, which made the neighborhood busier than usual, according to the AP.
A police car driving along a road at night with its emergency lights flashing.
“People were just congregating and having a good time in the downtown of Leland,” state senator Derrick Simmons told the AP, adding that police informed him the atmosphere was “very chaotic.”
He added, “It’s just needless gun violence. What we are seeing now is just a profusion of firearms in circulation.
There have been no arrests in relation with the incident as of yet. PEOPLE contacted the Leland Police Department (LPD) on Sunday, October 12, but did not receive an immediate answer.
Another incident occurred at Heidelberg High School in Heidelberg, roughly 80 miles east of the state capital. According to police, three persons were shot on school premises, and two died as a result of their injuries.
According to the outlet, police declined to say whether the victims attended the school.
Tylar Jarod Goodloe, 18, is currently in arrest in connection with the Heidelberg shooting, according to a Facebook post by the Jasper County Sheriff’s Department (JCSD).
Heidelberg Police Department and Jasper County Sheriff’s Office are currently searching for 18-year-old Tylar Jarod Goodloe for questioning in the shooting that occurred at Heidelberg High School on Friday night.
PEOPLE contacted the Heidelberg Police Department for comment on October 12 but did not receive an instant response.
A third shooting occurred in the state, again following an Oct. 10 homecoming game, in Sharkey County, according to a statement posted on Facebook by the Sharkey County Sheriff’s Office. Authorities have “arrested and charged two individuals in connection with the shooting,” according to the statement.
“Sheriff Ceaser wants to make it very clear that acts of violence in our community will not be condoned. Our law enforcement personnel are dedicated to expeditiously seeking justice while also safeguarding the safety of all citizens and visitors to our county,” the statement read. “Our thoughts and prayers are with the victim’s family at this sad time. We want the community to rally in support and stay positive as the investigation continues.”
People contacted the Sharkey County Sheriff’s Office on October 12 but did not receive an immediate response.
